Hotspot Shield - Free VPN Software

Hotspot Shield connects to a bunch of different servers, hiding the IP address and displaying an alternative one. This is a popular way for businesses to connect and for use by IT professionals in preventing data access from hackers and identity thieves.

Hotspot Shield operates a mid-sized network, with its servers located in nearly 100 locations across more than 70 countries. From the list on the website, you can see that the servers are spread around, with about 20 servers in the US. The company also offers more than 2,500 individual IP addresses.

Hotspot Shield is one of the fastest VPN services available, with quite a few tested servers providing fast, low-latency download and upload speeds. Whether you need a VPN for streaming, torrenting, or gaming, you'll be happy with Hotspot Shield.

Hotspot Shield - Free VPN Software Picture 1

Features of Hotspot Shield

Simple interface, free to use and fast streaming support

In recent times, people around the world have started using VPN services to surf the Internet privately, securely, and anonymously. With Hotspot Shield VPN, you can take advantage of the software's advanced features, including faster speeds, premium encryption, complete security, etc. Compared to other services, this program offers offers lower latency, ensuring a stable and secure connection on Windows PCs. It can also detect malicious websites and protect you from online threats, such as hackers, suspicious URLs, etc.

Hotspot Shield comes with a host of features, such as automatic IP address deletion, multiple secure server connections, support for global servers, etc. The program comes with a single interface simplicity, focusing on ease of use, quick navigation, and better integration of advanced security protocols.

Hotspot Shield is inspired by the minimal approach of several high-end security tools. The app has a large size button to connect and disconnect the selected server. The analog meter shows the length of the connection and gives you the option to stop or schedule access to the server.

The VPN comes with a Settings menu on a single page, allowing access to important parameters and options. It is worth mentioning that the free version of the application limits some functions in this section. When Windows starts, Hotspot Shield automatically connects to the priority server. It identifies your most recently used network and creates a secure connection instantly.

Stream, download and game with 'the world's fastest VPN'

Enjoy your favorite movies and shows worldwide on Netflix, YouTube, Prime, Disney+, etc. at lightning-fast speeds, 2.2 times faster than other options on the market.

Anonymity with military-grade encryption

Hotspot Shield encrypts your connection and does not record any data that could be linked to you. The program completely hides your identity and information from hackers and those who want to target these things online.

Unlock worldwide content with over 115 virtual locations

With servers across 80+ countries and 35+ cities, Hotspot Shield's exclusive Hydra protocol optimizes your VPN to ensure fast, secure connections for gaming, streaming, downloading content , P2P, etc.

Two access modes

Hotspot Shield or HSS has two modes for users to choose from. There is a free mode, which gives you access to a virtual location in the US and is supported by ads. It offers standard definition streaming but won't connect to popular streaming services. The second way to access the VPN is through premium mode, which works through a one-month, one-year, or two-year subscription.

Premium plan features include an ad-free experience. You have access to over 70 virtual locations to choose from and high definition streaming. When you're on a premium payment plan, streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer won't be blocked, but you'll need to use the right servers. The speed of the free version is x1, while the premium plans, give you x4 speed.

Connect quickly

The speeds that Hotspot offers make it one of the fastest VPNs. It uses a special protocol called Catapult Hydra. In general, speeds slow down when using a VPN, but the connection is still fast and in some cases faster than a connection without a VPN. Switching between connections is also quick, clicking on a new location will get you connected to the fastest server within seconds.

There are FAQs (frequently asked questions) for free user support, while a paid subscription provides users with 24/7 customer support. You can connect 5 different devices to one paid account, which means you can take advantage of this VPN in several different locations or share it with family members. Free members have the option to try a premium account.

HSS is created by AnchorFree, known for its low latency products that promote security. It has produced a number of other products, including a Chrome extension for Hotspot. However, this extension only encrypts browser traffic, while a full VPN will also impact the applications you use.

Simple installation

This VPN's interface looks smart, clean, and easy to navigate, with a large start button to help you connect. You'll see a meter showing your connection length, with the option to stop. There's a simple one-page settings menu, giving you access to everything you need, although advanced users may want more detail. HSS is designed to connect when Windows launches. It will find your most recently used network and once connected, you can switch to an alternative network.

Hotspot Shield is known for its security, which means no IP or DNS leaks. This company provides data protection through encryption and phishing blocking. The app also provides an automatic killswitch to protect user data in case the VPN connection drops for any reason. There is a concern about security and logging policies. Although Hotspot Shield does not keep activity logs, some data is recorded during your session, such as your IP address, although that data is deleted at the end of the session. Since VPNs focus on privacy and anonymity, it's surprising to see that Hotspot Shield doesn't offer anonymous payment methods, such as Bitcoin.

Server and server location

Hotspot Shield says it offers servers in "more than 80" countries. It's a strong choice and not far behind ExpressVPN's 94-country count. Servers in more places give you more options to hide location, and that means there's likely a server near your location.

Particularly noteworthy is the variety of locations offered by Hotspot Shield. It has servers in 4 African countries and servers across South America, two regions often overlooked by VPN companies. Hotspot Shield also offers servers in regions with strict Internet policies, such as China, Russia, Türkiye, and Vietnam. Hotspot Shield has 1,800 servers available. Hotspot Shield states that it relies only on hardware servers.

An Aura representative confirmed that Hotspot Shield shares server infrastructure with five other VPN companies owned by Aura. These are: Betternet, Hexatech, TouchVPN, VPN360 and VPN in Touch. The company takes measures to secure its infrastructure but does not own all the servers, which is not unusual. Some VPN companies, such as ExpressVPN, have switched to RAM-only servers to prevent spoofing. And Hotspot Shield says it has other security risk mitigation measures in place.

Secure 5 devices with one account, from laptops, phones and TVs

Hotspot Shield is available on major platforms and devices, including Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, smart TVs, routers. etc. In addition, Hotspot Shield also has an extension for Chrome, called Hotspot Shield Free VPN Proxy. Hotspot Shield Free VPN Proxy provides a fast VPN connection through an encrypted channel between your Chrome browser and the target website, using secure VPN technology. Hotspot Shield masks your real IP address to anonymize your device and give you access to restricted websites, even behind firewalls.

Hotspot Shield for Chrome possesses the following top features:

1. World's Fastest VPN: VPN ranked as 'World's Fastest VPN', endorsed by SpeedTest.
2. WebRTC Blocker: Prevent websites from discovering your real IP.
3. Unblock geo-restricted content: Encrypt your browser traffic and access restricted content on blocked websites, messaging apps and social networking sites.
4. Secure all online activities: Hide your IP address and protect your identity from trackers to enjoy maximum privacy and security.
5. Trusted by millions: With over 650 million downloads, Hotspot Shield Free VPN Proxy has been featured on Fast Company, Forbes, CNET, CNN and the New York Times.
6. Unlimited VPN Access: Stay connected to secure VPN servers without any bandwidth, data or time restrictions.
7. Advanced security features: Block websites and ad trackers from spying on your browsing activities with additional security features.

Note about privacy policy & logging

Hotspot Shield previously had some troubling issues but has improved since the change in ownership. However, the logging policy still needs improvement.

Hotspot Shield has a questionable logging policy. While a VPN doesn't keep any logs of your browsing history or online activity, it collects a lot of other information, and its privacy policies are often vague or misleading.

According to the terms and conditions of this VPN, Hotspot Shield Elite collects the following data:

1. IP address – encrypted, for session duration only, and not linked to your activity while using the VPN.
2. Approximate geographical location – derived from your IP address and used to connect you to the nearest VPN server.
3. Connection Timeline – used to monitor, support and optimize VPN services and stored for 3 years.
4. Bandwidth used per user, per session – used to monitor, support and optimize VPN services and stored for 3 years. Device-specific information, such as number device identification, browser type, device type and settings, operating system version, other mobile, wireless, and network information (such as ISP name, service provider name and signal strength) and application version number.
5. Non-personal logs of websites (domain names, not specific URLs) accessed via Hotspot Shield VPN servers – these logs are aggregated monthly.

If you use Hotspot Shield Free, the service may also share even more data with third-party advertisers:

1. IMEI number
2. MAC address
3. Unique advertising ID
4. Location (city level)

While it's encouraging that Hotspot Shield can't link any behavior to your specific account, this level of data collection is still too intrusive for any user concerned about permissions. privacy or anonymity.

There are other options besides Hotspot Shield

While Hotspot Shield has its advantages, it's not necessarily an option for everyone, perhaps you want more control over the settings or maybe you need something simpler. There are alternatives on the market that may suit your needs if this VPN is not for you.

An alternative from the same company AnchorFree is Betternet Free VPN, a service with no data caps. Although speeds are significantly slower than the premium version of Hotspot, it's completely free and easy to use. You don't need to register an account, just click and connect.

If it's a premium plan you're looking for, a viable alternative is IPVanish. This is a great option for fast connection speeds and privacy, and offers multiple device connections, but won't work with all streaming sites. It gives you the option of using an anonymous payment method, as Bitcoin is accepted.

If you're looking for a similar plan with both free and paid subscriptions, but with a clearer privacy policy, then Windscribe could be the answer you need. The amount of data allowed through this VPN is generous, and the settings give you some control over your preferences.

However, you may find the number of places offered is more limited than other options.

How much does Hotspot Shield cost?

Hotspot Shield is one of the few VPN services that offers a free subscription tier. However, this option comes with limitations. Hotspot Shield's free basic subscription limits you to only US VPN servers, one simultaneous connection, and 500MB of bandwidth per day. That's generous compared to TunnelBear's free version, which limits users to 500MB per month. However, this number cannot be compared to ProtonVPN's unlimited amount of free data that users can use.

Hotspot Shield takes the unusual step of scaling free accounts down to just 2Mbps. This speed is extremely slow, even for mobile devices. Hotspot Shield also monetizes its free version on Android.

A Premium subscription offers 5 simultaneous connections, full access to Hotspot Shield servers, and no data caps. This plan costs $12.99/month. The highest tier, called Premium Family, increases the number of simultaneous connections to 25 across five member accounts and costs $19.99/month.

At $12.99/month, Hotspot Shield is significantly more expensive than the $10.05/month average. You can also choose a one-year subscription. A Premium subscription costs $95.88/year and a Premium Family subscription costs $143.88/year. Again, this is quite expensive compared to the average of about $71.93/year. Therefore, the best way is not to rush into long-term registration. Try the free version and see if Hotspot Shield is right for you, then choose one of the paid plans.

You can pay for your Hotspot Shield subscription using a major credit card or PayPal.

A popular and useful VPN

Hotspot Shield has more than 650 million users. The choice of plans on offer is very attractive and the biggest highlight is the speeds you can get, which means smooth HD streaming through the VPN. The lack of DNS leaks and access to streaming services have certainly contributed to Hotspot Shield's popularity. Overall, it's the ease of use and good customer service that make this product stand out.

The latest version of the app has improved some issues that users encountered through specific servers. The internal web server has been removed to fix the issue with CVE-2018-6460. There was also a vulnerability in Hotspot Shield that was reported and fixed.

For a more detailed review, please refer to the article: Hotspot Shield Review: The Fastest VPN Available with Exclusive Technology for more details.

Advantage

1. Connect to 5 different devices
2. Useful for HD streaming
3. Killswitch to protect your data
4. More than 70 virtual locations

Defect

1. The privacy policy regarding data logging is unclear

Lesley Montoya

Update 15 January 2024